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I installed a 1350 gallon pond this year.
It is 3 feet at the deepest, but averages 20". I purchased
6 Koi in April and they did great all year long (approx 7
months) as did the turtle. They grew from 2-3" to around
7-8".
Within a 24 hr period, all 6 died with
what seemed no reason. The best the local nursery said was
maybe it could have been stress from an animal or something.
They said maybe put in a place for them to hide. Water temp
at the time was probably under 55F. There was also a frog
(I never seen all year) that also survived.
I live in northern Ohio and my backyard
is fenced in. I use a Savio skimmer filter that goes to a
waterfall. I know this is limited information, but would like
to have any information you have to make my second year in
watergardening a total success.
Thank you in advance.
Happy New Year, Jack,
Were you still feeding them? The Savio
skimmer filter does not have a lot of reserve, and at water
temperatures below 55 degrees, its bioconversion capabilities
would have been seriously degraded. The bacterial populations
that do the nitrification go dormant at those temps, and
if you were still feeding the fish, your water quality was
probably deteriorating.
In general, mass die-offs are either
overwhelming disease (KHV or similar) or, more commonly,
water quality issues. Frequent water testing as conditions
change, along with water changes and alteration in feeding
practices are good habits to develop.
Bob Passovoy
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